Lockout mechanism

Abstract

A power tool including a power base and a tool head. The power base includes a trigger and a motor such that the trigger actuatable to drive the motor. The tool head is driven by the motor, and includes a lockout mechanism that inhibits actuation of the trigger in a locked. The lockout mechanism is manually rotatable from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the trigger is actuatable to drive the motor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A power tool comprising:
 a power base including a trigger and a motor, the trigger actuatable to drive the motor; and 
 a tool head driven by the motor, the tool head including a lockout mechanism that inhibits actuation of the trigger in a locked position; 
 wherein the lockout mechanism is manually rotatable from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the trigger is actuatable to drive the motor. 
 
     
     
       2. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout mechanism further comprises:
 a rotatable cam ring having cam surfaces; 
 wherein rotation of the cam ring causes axial displacement of the cam ring into the unlocked position. 
 
     
     
       3. The power tool of  claim 2 , wherein the lockout mechanism further comprises:
 a rotatable switch ring actuatable by a user and coupled with the cam ring; 
 wherein rotation of the switch ring causes rotation of the cam ring. 
 
     
     
       4. The power tool of  claim 3 , the lockout mechanism further comprising:
 a gearcase including a backplate having a plurality of projections; 
 wherein the cam ring is disposed adjacent the backplate, and wherein the cam surfaces ride the projections during rotation of the cam ring to effect axial displacement of the cam ring. 
 
     
     
       5. The power tool of  claim 3 , wherein the switch ring is rotatable from the locked position to the unlocked position in a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction. 
     
     
       6. The power tool of  claim 3 , wherein the lockout mechanism further comprises a switch ring actuator, wherein a switch ring actuator extends through a housing of the tool head for being manually accessible. 
     
     
       7. The power tool of  claim 3 , wherein the lockout mechanism further comprises a detent mechanism that retains the switch ring in one of the locked or unlocked positions such that the switch ring must be manually moved between the locked and unlocked positions by a switch ring actuator actuatable by the user. 
     
     
       8. The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the switch ring is rotatable from the locked position to the unlocked position in a first direction, the switch ring retained in the unlocked position by the detent mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The power tool of  claim 7 , wherein the switch ring is rotatable from the unlocked position to the locked position in a second direction, the switch ring retained in the locked position by the detent mechanism. 
     
     
       10. The power tool of  claim 2 , the lockout mechanism further comprising a pin, wherein rotation of the cam ring causes axial displacement of the pin. 
     
     
       11. The power tool of  claim 10 , wherein the power base includes a safety device for inhibiting activation of the motor, wherein rotation of the cam ring displaces the cam ring in the direction of the power base thereby pushing the pin axially towards the safety device such that contact between the pin and the safety device disables the lockout mechanism. 
     
     
       12. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is attachable to the power base in at least four angular orientations. 
     
     
       13. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool head is removably coupled to the power base such that the tool head is selectively removable from the power base. 
     
     
       14. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout mechanism is rotatably mounted on the tool head. 
     
     
       15. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout mechanism is manually rotatable from the locked position to the unlocked position while remaining coupled to the tool head. 
     
     
       16. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout mechanism includes an annular switch ring manually rotatable from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
     
     
       17. The power tool of  claim 1 , wherein the lockout mechanism includes an annular switch ring defining a central axis, wherein the annular switch ring is manually rotatable from the locked position to the unlocked position about the central axis. 
     
     
       18. A power tool comprising:
 a power base including a trigger and a motor, the trigger actuatable to drive the motor; and 
 a tool head driven by the motor, the tool head including a lockout mechanism that inhibits actuation of the trigger in a locked position; 
 wherein the lockout mechanism includes a manually engageable actuation surface disposed on an exterior of the power tool when the power base and the tool head are coupled to each other; 
 wherein the lockout mechanism is manually rotatable, by way of the manually engageable actuation surface, from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the trigger is actuatable to drive the motor. 
 
     
     
       19. A power tool comprising:
 a power base including a trigger and a motor, the trigger actuatable to drive the motor, wherein the motor defines a motor axis; and 
 a tool head driven by the motor, the tool head including a lockout mechanism that inhibits actuation of the trigger in a locked position; 
 wherein the lockout mechanism is manually rotatable about an axis substantially parallel with the motor axis from the locked position to an unlocked position in which the trigger is actuatable to drive the motor.